As millions of students wrap up their school year in mid-June, summer reading lists are doled out by language arts and English teachers to keep everyone focused so everyone has something to discuss in September (BoardBuzz has covered before, here and here) . But most students dread the list, procrastinating until about three days before school starts again to begin reading the books, and complain incessintly about how boring the books are. Sound familiar? Perhaps we’re a bit jaded, but the former teachers here at BoardBuzz remember too well the reality of the summer reading list. Perhaps that’s why this story coming out of the Milwaukee area caught our attention.
The philosophy is that reading should be fun. The librarians tell students that if they don’t like a book, to abandon it, put it back, and find another. Enjoy what you read, and keep reading. “You want them to look at reading the same way you look at going swimming or playing sports…you don’t want it to be a chore like making the bed or cleaning the garage,” one librarian said. There’s certainly no shortage of books out there that appeal to teens and younger students. Sure, Harry Potter has waved his wand for the last time, but the world of young adult books has plenty to offer. Among the advice from librarians on how adults can help, listen to an audio book on a summer road trip, have material to read available in high traffic areas, and be a good role model. What novel ideas (pun intended).
